So, you can be sure that you always have the latest packages without compatibility issues when running games on Steam. To make sure that the game gets the latest Mesa graphics library, drivers, and dependencies, you will need to update the virtual machine, right?įortunately, Google plans to update those packages along with Chrome OS updates. Updating the Virtual Machine with Chrome OS However, Google claims that they have put their best efforts to ensure a near-native performance with the Vulkan virtualization driver and OpenGL. It is obvious to worry about the performance if this is the case.

You have to install Steam and interact with it to install/manage games without needing to peek at what’s under the hood. If a user chooses to install Steam, the VM image is downloaded using Chrome OS’s Downloadable Content (DLC) system.Īnd it is entirely invisible to the user side. Games do not have direct access to the host hardware/files, so you do not worry about extras when using Steam on Chrome OS.īy default, you do not get the VM installed. Technically, with a VM, they get an additional layer of security while keeping things uncomplicated. Hence, it should be a big win for developers, considering Chrome OS has a major share of the market when compared to Linux desktops and macOS (reference: Statista). Developers do not have to put additional effort into making their games work on Chrome OS. This also ensures that if a game works on Linux, it will work well with Borealis. In this way, users can enable Steam games without affecting the existing functionalities/features of Chrome OS. Google utilizes a virtual machine based on a modified Arch Linux image code named “ Borealis” to run Steam. However, that is the underlying technology being used. Steam on ChromeOS Using a Virtual Machineįret not, you do not need to create a Linux virtual machine from within Chrome OS to access Steam and play games. Let me briefly explain what it is all about. It looks like we have some significant information on how Linux helps enable Steam for Chrome OS users. Now, in a new blog post, Google revealed that they would be sharing more technical details on how they’re making it possible or its progress for developers and users. Google recently announced that they are working on Steam for Chrome OS Alpha. Thanks to Linux for making that possible. Yes, Steam will be coming to Chrome OS soon.

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